NOTES
(De Vulg. Eloq., I. xv), but assigns the place of honour amongst the poets of the dolce stil nuovo to Cavalcanti rather than to him.
Così ha tolto l'uno all'altro Guido
La gloria della lingua. (Purg. xi. 97.)
19. Al cor gentil... i. 5. adesso, 'as soon as.' iii. 8. prende rivera, 'makes its abode.' 10. adamas, magnet. v. 1. intelligenza, the heavenly spirit which derives its power to move the spheres from its contemplation of God. vi. 2. Stando l'anima mia, 'when my soul shall be.'
20. Voglio del ver... 8. raffina miglio, 'comes to greater perfection.' 10. salute = saluto.
Guido Cavalcanti (page 72). Florentine. Son of Cavalcante di Schiatta (Inf. x); married the daughter of Farinata degli Uberti. A white Guelf and fierce opponent of Corso Donati. Became Dante's friend in 1283; member of the Grand Council of the Commune, 1284. Went on a pilgrimage to St. James of Compostella c. 1294, but got no further than Nimes and Toulouse, for the reason which he gives us in his poetry. In 1300 the chiefs of the Cerchi and Donati factions were exiled by a decree of the Signoria, which Dante, who was then Prior, approved; amongst them was Cavalcanti, who was sent to Sarzana in Lunigiana. They were soon recalled, but Cavalcanti had fallen a victim to malaria and died shortly after his return.
23. Era in penser... vii. 2. la Dorata, a church in Toulouse.
29. Perch'i' non spero... Written when he was dying in exile.
Cecco Angiolieri (page 81). Born in Siena. Led a merry life, quarrelled with his relatives and fought against the Aretines. Wrote an unkind sonnet to Dante,
